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The Baltimore Summer Funding Collaborative (SFC) is pleased to announce the awarding of nearly $2.5 million in grants to 46 summer programs offering accessible, high-quality opportunities to Baltimore City youth who may otherwise be unable to attend summer programming. The SFC received 215 applications for summer 2025, its largest application pool to date, for a total of $16.7 million in requests. This reflects both a strong network of youth-serving organizations in Baltimore and a challenging economic climate. COVID-era funding has ended, and public and private investments are down. Despite SFC’s strategic investments, over 85% of requested funds couldn’t be met. “For the past decade, the SFC has demonstrated how Baltimore institutions can come together to elevate the opportunities available to young people across this city,” said Julia Baez, Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore’s Promise, the administrative backbone of the SFC. “The impact of this investment can be seen in the quality and range of programs available today. But we need more people and organizations to understand why these programs are so important, and invest in the long-term success of our city’s next generations.” Investments that MatterSummer is a critical time for learning and growth, yet only one opportunity exists for every four youth in Baltimore. Without access, students lose an average of one month of academic progress, making graduation and college less likely. SFC investments combat this summer learning loss, support working families, provide safe spaces, spark new interests, and build creativity, confidence, and problem-solving skills that help young people thrive. This year’s grantees include opportunities for mentorship through sports and the arts, academic and leadership skills training, social-emotional wellness programs, and so much more. Designated funds will support a projected 3,046 youth. The SFC’s members include some of Baltimore’s largest public, private, and nonprofit institutions: The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore Children and Youth Fund, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore’s Promise, BGE, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Constellation, Family League of Baltimore, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation. While their individual funding priorities vary, members come together to make complementary funding decisions that support a robust summer ecosystem in alignment with the SFC’s signature Community Review Process. This year, 157 community members graded applicants against priorities set by youth themselves, which include safe physical and mental spaces, accessibility, intergenerational mentorship, career and academic training, and more. More than half the reviewers were youth ages 14-24. Community reviewers recommended 73% of applicants for funding, with 35% of those earning a “highly recommended” designation. All grantees aligned with community review recommendations. Here are the 2025 SFC grantees
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AuthorThe Baltimore Summer Funding Collaborative is a partnership between public, private and nonprofit organizations that supports high-quality summer programs that serve youth from low-income families in Baltimore City. Archives
April 2025
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